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Is there anyone on here willing to take in a rookie for training (by phone) or in person?

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Think about joining SIMA.....They have a Buddy program and also a wealth of info for you...I think it might be a good Place to start....:salute:....PS..Welcome...Use the search Button at the top...There is a wealth of info there too....

Think about joining SIMA.....They have a Buddy program and also a wealth of info for you...I think it might be a good Place to start....:salute:....PS..Welcome...Use the search Button at the top...There is a wealth of info there too....

My questions were really about equipment, bobcat, or truck if a truck which one?
More questions like how much man power would it take to clear a parking lot, or how many trucks for something the size of a home depot or lowes etc...

I know some of those questions are based on the amount of snow but I just wanted a general idea.

My questions were really about equipment, bobcat, or truck if a truck which one?
More questions like how much man power would it take to clear a parking lot, or how many trucks for something the size of a home depot or lowes etc...

I know some of those questions are based on the amount of snow but I just wanted a general idea.

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Lots of good info here. Just have to see your way through some of the BS, but trust me there are a lot of people on here that really know the snow removal business in an out. One thing to remember too (and this is true with the snow industry more than anything else), is where you are has a lot to do with how things are done. The way GrandView and I do things in Buffalo may not be the same "standard" in Ohio, or PA, or wherever...ESPECIALLY on pricing. I may put up a thread here with a map and some square footage measurements and say "what would you guys bid this at? 3" trigger, average of 30-35 pushes per season" and one guy in Massachusetts might say 8 grand, another on the other side of NY might say 7, and I know that HERE, I can sure bid it at 7 grand but I know theres 5 other guys lined up behind me that'll do it for 4 grand or less and do it GOOD. You get my point here haha

If you've never done snow removal before, I would get your feet wet with some smaller parking lots and driveways before you tackle a Home Depot or anything large commercial like that. Just a lot to learn, theres more to it than just getting in a truck or loader and pushing snow around. But like I said, plenty of good info on here!

My experience in plowing snow is very minimum, and t o be honest near to none.

However, when it comes to plowings little sister, “ice management” I have a little experience to offer. I live in the Washington DC area so snowfalls are nowhere near 30 plus times a year. We would be lucky to get between 3 accumulations over 3".

For ice management what we normally do is get some spreaders and apply some chemical to the sidewalks, and walk the lots with it if asked. When things got really intense some times we'd get a shovel and break patches of ice up near the entryways etc, but that's all.

This is why I was leaning in the direction of trying to get a mentor with pushing snow. I know the majority of the work isn’t rocket science, but I also know its about preparation, and without that one could find themselves in for a long night. Even if the snow is falling at a minimum.

Grandview, I appreciate the pointer on the tires but what about the type of truck Ram, Ford, Bobcat, or something else. I was going to try to start out with buying a used truck in the range of 15,000 or less. Do you think that sounds reasonable? Even more, would you know of a site or publication that advertise good trucks for sale which are already suit-up?

Which truck is best thread starting! I like my Ford with a Boss v plow. That price I can get a good truck ,not sure what you get for that in your area. Try a local dealer first and work your way down to Craigslist.